Founding fathers of the European Union: Jean Monnet

The French economic advisor and politician Jean Monnet dedicated himself to the cause of European integration. He was the inspiration behind the 'Schuman Plan', which foresaw the merger of west European heavy industry. As a top advisor to the French government, he was the main inspiration behind the famous 'Schuman Declaration' of 9 May 1950, which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community and, as such, is considered to be the birth of the European Union. Between 1952 and 1955 he was the first president of its executive body.

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